The Future is NAO

Students explore robotics and coding

Like something out of a sci-fi movie, "Nao" is every bit as entertaining as R2D2 or C3PO.These approximately 23-inch-tall robots can speak, track movement, pick up objects, pick themselves up when they fall and, yes, even dance.

Years 7, 8 and 9 Computer Science students had a fantastic opportunity work with the Nao robots on loan from Oxford Brookes University, but aside from the tricks and super cute voice the Nao pronounced “now” gives students accelerated learning in the field of robotics and programming.

Nao are programmable humanoids created by “SoftBank” Robotics https://www.ald.softbankrobotics.com/en/cool-robots/nao they have sensors on head, hands and feet which allow them to detect and interact with their environment. In addition to this they have four directional microphones and speakers allowing them to listen for keywords and in turn speak a reply. Finally the Nao’s have two cameras allowing them to see.

What makes Nao an educational experience is that the students were able to program various actions for Nao through a "drag and drop" coding system via a laptop. An action is selected by students, and the package of corresponding codes is dragged to the work space on the laptop. Then students must link each code within the package together to produce the action. Students take turns logging in and out of Nao's system. The code is then transmitted to Nao via a WiFi signal.

Year 9 computer science said the experience was “Inspiring, interesting and educational”, but overall all students had a fantastic experience.